Reliable Auto DB

2017 Kia Cadenza reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2017 Kia Cadenza has 32 complaints with NHTSA after 10 years, or 3 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Cadenza years here — over the median of the other years, which is 1. NHTSA has 2 recalls on file, including Brake control module and Hoses and fittings.

2014 Kia Cadenza
Photo by EuroCarGT, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

32

Per year

3

Recalls

2

Years on the road

10

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (11 of 32), then Electrical system (6) and Fuel and propulsion system (5). Those filings include 4 that report a crash, 1 that reports a fire, and 1 that reports an injury.

Next to 2016 and 2018

The 2016 Cadenza has 14 complaints, 0 per year, and the 2018 has 7 complaints, 1 per year. The 2017 has more complaints per year than the 2016. The 2017 has more complaints per year than the 2018.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2017 Kia Cadenza. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (2)

Recall Brake control module 2021-03-04 · NHTSA campaign 21V137000
Summary Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Sportage and Cadenza vehicles. The electrical circuit in the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may short-circuit, which can cause a fire in the engine compartment.
Remedy Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace certain fuses in the electrical junction box. Vehicles equipped with an electronic parking brake (EPB) will also receive a HECU software update. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on April 30, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC206.
Recall hydraulic brakes, power assist, vacuum, hoses and fittings 2017-03-16 · NHTSA campaign 17V190000
Summary Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017 Cadenza vehicles. The brake vacuum hose on the affected vehicles may kink, reducing braking performance.
Remedy Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake vacuum hose, replacing it as necessary, free charge. The recall began on April 17, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC146.

Complaints by component (32 total)

Engine
11
Electrical system
6
Fuel and propulsion system
5
Wheels
3
Air bags
2
Hydraulic brakes
2
Seat belts
2
Service brakes
2
Steering
2
Suspension
2
Engine and engine cooling
1
Speed control
1
Tires
1
Show 5 more Show less
Crash-flagged

4

Fire-flagged

1

Injury reports

1

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

1201742018420194202132023720242202572026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "The contact owns a 2017 Kia Cadenza. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle suddenly lost motive power. The contact waited before restarting the vehicle and continued driving. The ABS…"
    Steering, Hydraulic brakes, Engine · filed 2026-08-06
  • "Engine oil light is on and there is a burning smell when I drive. Fear of a fire breaking out in the engine when driving or parked. Had it looked at by a technician and they expressed those concerns to me and that…"
    Engine · filed 2026-04-22
  • "The vehicle harness is burned and under recall sc206 for HECU fuses that was allegedly repaired which should have required a check of the harness connections . part number 91223f6632 is for the wire harness during…"
    Electrical system · filed 2026-03-29
  • "I currently have a complaint 11709255 regarding the electric thermostat. I just had that part replaced in November of 2025 for the 3rd time. Last week, again I had a warning of engine problem. The next day there was…"
    Engine · filed 2026-03-21
  • "Check engine was flashing in front of my house in Brookhaven Pa. Took to mechanic around the corner, diagnosed with a blown head gasket & oil in my anti freeze over flow. Internal engine failure. Had towed to Kia…"
    Engine · filed 2026-03-11

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2017 Kia Cadenza 4 DR FWD Not rated Not rated Not rated Not rated

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Cadenza 3.3L, 6-cyl Automatic (8-speed) Front-wheel drive 20 28 23 MPG $2800

Specs and fitment

Second generation (YG), 2017–2020
Body styles Sedan
Oil 5W-30 (preferred; all temps) , 6.9 qt capacity
Tire size P245/45R18 (Technology), P245/40R19 (Limited)

Known issues for this generation

Recall 17V-190 covers certain 2017 Cadenza vehicles whose brake vacuum hose may kink and reduce braking performance. Recall 21V-137 covers certain 2017-2021 Sportage and Cadenza vehicles: the HECU electrical circuit may short-circuit and cause an engine-compartment fire. That campaign lists 379,931 vehicles across those models. Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until dealers replace certain fuses in the electrical junction box.

Compare

Previous year 2016 Kia Cadenza Next year 2018 Kia Cadenza See every Kia Cadenza model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 Kia Cadenza reliable?

The 2017 Kia Cadenza has 32 complaints with NHTSA after 10 years, or 3 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Cadenza years here — over the median of the other years, which is 1. NHTSA has 2 recalls on file, including Brake control module and Hoses and fittings.

What are common problems with a 2017 Kia Cadenza?

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (11 of 32), then Electrical system (6) and Fuel and propulsion system (5). Those filings include 4 that report a crash, 1 that reports a fire, and 1 that reports an injury.

Is the 2017 Kia Cadenza more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2016 Cadenza has 14 complaints, 0 per year, and the 2018 has 7 complaints, 1 per year. The 2017 has more complaints per year than the 2016. The 2017 has more complaints per year than the 2018.

Has the 2017 Kia Cadenza been recalled?

The 2017 Kia Cadenza has 2 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2017 Kia Cadenza?

Owners have filed 32 complaints about the 2017 Kia Cadenza with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2017 Kia Cadenza get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2017 Kia Cadenza is 23 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What generation is the 2018 Kia Cadenza?

Second generation (YG, 2017-2020).

What oil does a Kia Cadenza take?

5W-30 preferred for all temperatures; VG (~6 qt) and YG (~6.9 qt) capacities differ by generation.

What does recall 22V-158 cover on the Cadenza?

All 2014-2016 Cadenza vehicles: the front windshield may not have been properly bonded during manufacturing. See the NHTSA campaign for the remedy.